USA: Offshore Wind Energy Act Passes House Economic Matters Committee

Following two years of intense debate, the powerful House Economic Matters committee favorably reported, with a vote of 13 to 8, the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 (HB 441) to the floor of the House of Delegates, where it is expected to pass.

The Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 would set up a market-driven process to incentivize the construction of ocean-based wind turbines 10 miles or more off the coast of Ocean City. Responding to concerns expressed by legislators during the 2011 General Assembly session, this year’s bill includes multiple new provisions to protect consumers and stimulate Maryland’s economy. The bill is modeled on an approach already adopted by New Jersey’s state legislature with bipartisan support.

A broad coalition of environmental, labor, faith, student, and business groups applauded the committee’s decision, citing the committee’s work to improve the bill from its 2011 version. The 2012 bill requires that offshore wind power developers must prove that their project proposals will produce positive net economic and environmental benefits for the state.

 “This bill is an important first step,” said Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “It will help clean our air, create jobs, and combat the extreme weather impacts we’re already seeing from climate change.”

The offshore wind bill has won broad appeal throughout the state. A January 2012 poll by Opinion Works showed that nearly two-thirds of Maryland voters support the offshore wind bill, with a majority citing jobs and health benefits as their primary reason for supporting the measure. Additionally, more than 10,000 Marylanders signed petitions in support of the bill and more than 200 businesses signed letters signifying their formal support.

 “Religious communities know that the wind blowing off Maryland’s coast is a blessing,” said Joelle Novey, the director of Interfaith Power & Light, which has coordinated the involvement of faith communities in the campaign. “Today, we’re encouraged to see our state take this important step towards a clean energy future that will put that blessing to work for all of us.”

 “Maryland’s businesses want to see offshore wind development come to our state, and for good reason,” said Ross Tyler of the Business Coalition for Maryland Offshore Wind. “This is a jobs bill – the General Assembly should pass the offshore wind bill and start a new industry for the U.S., which will bring thousands of new jobs to the state.”

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Offshore WIND staff, March 27, 2012; Image: chesapeakeclimate